Community Forums

Steve Ownby · 04-03-2014, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arlinv

It's not just electrical spikes that can do damage. There is more potential from mis-wired or loose wired electrical posts at RV parks. A protector like the ones from Progressive Industries can protect from many of these issues, including low or high voltage. They come in hard-wired and portable models. I always used a portable unit until I bought the new coach, which has it built in.

This post is exactly right. A spike or surge is not the top couple of reasons to invest in a EMS type unit. The big exposure for RVers is from hooking up to a wide variety of electric sources. Here are the big killers of electric/electronic equipment:
1. Open or floating neutral. With 50 amp service in particular you can end up with up to 240 VAC on your 120 circuits.
2. High/low voltage. Down under 105 or over about 132 can shorten life of equipment.
3. Reverse polarity.
4. Open or damaged ground.
5. Spikes/surges

Progressive industries enjoys a great reputation amount RVers. There 50amp EMS is just over $300 and is cheap insurance.

spritz · 04-03-2014, 12:42 PM

At the S&B there is a rod that comes down the electric wires on the outside of the house and into the ground. I was always told that was for in-case the house gets hit by a lighting Bolt, Is that not true?
Going full time next fall and its on the list of 1st things to get. My MH is sitting in the driveway and I had 30amp put in. Think I am okay or should I unhook it? Its been plugged in while at home going on 3 years?
Thank you, Tim

tricotec · 04-03-2014, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z714X4

It's like insurance, you don't need it until you need it.

I bought the Progressive Industries EMSLCHW50 and hard wired it myself. I didn't want another display in the coach and I simply watch it when I hook up, let it do its thing, then relax the rest of the time knowing I'm protected from under/over voltage and spikes.

I'm sure it saved me during a lightning storm in Indiana two years ago when the whole campground went dim then dark several times. My EMS went off and on about 5 times during that storm. I just sat in the front and watched without a care.

Link to mine:

Anyone know if Monaco installed these on mid to high end coaches? I'll have to go looking and have no idea where to start...lol.

Steve Ownby · 04-03-2014, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spritz

At the S&B there is a rod that comes down the electric wires on the outside of the house and into the ground. I was always told that was for in-case the house gets hit by a lighting Bolt, Is that not true? Going full time next fall and its on the list of 1st things to get. My MH is sitting in the driveway and I had 30amp put in. Think I am okay or should I unhook it? Its been plugged in while at home going on 3 years? Thank you, Tim

You are probably safe at home. I'm sure your electric service is properly sized and well maintained. Your pedestal is not subjected to constant plugging and unplugging. Plus the single pole 30amp is not as unforgiving to open neutral. You are short to protect yourself when you start traveling.

Steve Ownby · 04-03-2014, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tricotec

Anyone know if Monaco installed these on mid to high end coaches? I'll have to go looking and have no idea where to start...lol.

Some had an add on unit attached to the transfer switch. My '03 Signature had a small surge protector with some built in protection. I added this 3 years ago:

http://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems_hw50c.htm

It has cut power into my coach on several occasions. The biggest fault has been over or under voltage.

nomad297 · 04-03-2014, 01:25 PM

Are you convinced yet, Raining Star?

Mine has saved me at least a dozen times in the last two years.

Bruce

CJ7ole · 04-03-2014, 01:34 PM

My rig was previously owned by an electrical contractor who installed a surge protector. A Surge Guard AutoPower HW-RV 50. For some reason he left the key switch in bypass mode and I never noticed it. Due to my own stupidity, I accidentally ran 240 into the rig and burned up my DVD player, TV, and a digital voltage monitor (which started a fire, how ironic). That key switch is now firmly placed in the ON mode.

Raining Star · 04-03-2014, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD4Mark

We would not be without one. Here is ours and the best price we found Amazon.com: Progressive Industries SSP50 Smart Surge: Automotive They also make permanent installation models if you are worried about theft but it can be locked up if you are crafty enough. It will also work if you are connected to 30A or even 20.

I have yielded to the collective wisdom of this forum and have ordered the above model from Amazon. Thanks everybody for your feedback. Although listening to all the warnings has made the wonder if my RV is going to be safe until the suppressor arrives in a few days! ;-)

topdownman · 04-03-2014, 01:45 PM

Wow looks like you dumped the old fire extinguisher on that one I'll bet you peed your pants.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ7ole

My rig was previously owned by an electrical contractor who installed a surge protector. A Surge Guard AutoPower HW-RV 50. For some reason he left the key switch in bypass mode and I never noticed it. Due to my own stupidity, I accidentally ran 240 into the rig and burned up my DVD player, TV, and a digital voltage monitor (which started a fire). That key switch is now firmly placed in the ON mode.

CampDaven · 04-03-2014, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raining Star

I have yielded to the collective wisdom of this forum and have ordered the above model from Amazon. Thanks everybody for your feedback. Although listening to all the warnings has made the wonder if my RV is going to be safe until the suppressor arrives in a few days! ;-)

BTW. Progressive Industries has a lifetime warranty. And they do quick response abd superb CS.

wa8yxm · 04-03-2014, 02:02 PM

Regarding the rod in teh ground "in case of lighetning bolt" trust me, in case of lightening bolt the odds of it making any significant difference approach zero.

There is, however, a valid reason for that rod.. Which I won't bother explaining here, for most of the US, it is history, and it is a safety issue.

Surges, Spikes and Brown outs.. Those are the issues.

Spikes are very short transiant voltage increases, on a 'scope they look very much like a spike (Long and skinny) lasting only a tiny fraction of a second.. There is a device included in the "Surge Protectors" called an MOV or Metal Oxcide Varisistor, this clips those spikes like a grinder might cut off a nail that goes all the way through the board.

Surges: Sustained higher than normal voltage.. The MOV can not handle this, and when my house got hit with one due to a power company goof.. Kind of sounded like Indepencence day down there with the MOV's popping like fire crackers. The RV Surge protectors will cut you off and thus protect you.

Brown outs.. Most of what i have in here coudl care less. but.. The Air conditioners.. A brown out means the motor is very hard to start (Like a car with the battery low) and this can cause the compressor motor to overheat and fail.. 1,000 a pop to replace the A/C.

YES, you need one.. Do you need one at home?

Odds of these issues at your house are lower.. But they are long way from zero.

CJ7ole · 04-03-2014, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topdownman

Wow looks like you dumped the old fire extinguisher on that one I'll bet you peed your pants.

Rig was parked next to the house while we remodeled our kitchen. Summer storm knocked out the power and I was using the 7kw genset in the rig to power up the house, both legs of the house panel. I was in my wife's den and she said she heard something beeping. I couldn't hear it, but went outside to check. Neighbor heard it too but didn't know what it was. Turned out to be the smoke alarm. When I rounded the corner of the garage I could see the flames through the screen door of the rig. Yea, a couple quick spurts from the extinguisher put it out. It really freaked me out, as had I been downstairs in the shop, as I often was, I could have not just lost the rig, but the house which was only 4 feet away. Took me about 30 seconds to realize that when the power came on, I went downstairs and flipped the main breakers back on, but forgot to unplug the jumper from the rig to the house. That will not happen again.

BBQ Warren · 04-03-2014, 03:49 PM

I'm going to jump on the bandwagon. I always use my surge protector on the road. I'm actually more concerned with low voltage on big summer outings. I also like to know my load when boondocking.

emiddleb · 04-03-2014, 04:02 PM

Part of the problem in these discussions is that everyone is using the term "surge protector" which brings to mind something on a power strip at a computer to a newbie. What most of us are buying and using is a far more sophisticated unit (like the Progressives mentioned above) which check for mis-wiring, low voltages and such as others have stated.

Odds of getting zapped by a true surge... slim but does happen. Odds of some yahoo mis-wiring a campground plug, or the camper before you racking it up, or a brownout because everyone is running their air conditioners? Probably a lot higher.

Buddy once asked me why I always use my Progressive when I travel in the RV when I don't have such at home. My response was that I don't unplug my home, move it some miles, and plug it into an unknown power system every few weeks.

Just my portion of the bandwagon...